부산대학교 도서관

Lay description: Improved control of Babesiosis parasites is urgently needed. Numerous gaps in knowledge of the parasite–host relationships impede the development of efficient tools for control. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Kelvin probe potential microscopy (FM‐KPFM) techniques were used to obtain detailed microscopic information on size, texture, roughness and surface potential of normal and infected Babesia bovis, B. bigemina and B. caballi red blood cells. In addition, AFM and FM‐KPFM allowed a detailed view of free parasites revealing shape and topography of the surface of paired and single parasites and its surface potential for the first time. A significant increase in diameter of the infected Babesia cells was measured compared to normal red blood cells. B. bigemina and B. caballi‐infected red blood cells do not display the surface ridges typical in B. bovis‐infected red blood cells. B. bovis, B. bigemina and B. caballi parasites also revealed differences in size and shape. FM‐KPFM images reveal an unequal electric charge distribution, with higher positive surface potential above the red blood cells regions harbouring B. bovis parasites whereas surface potential of paired B. bovis Mo7 parasites revealed an asymmetric potential. These observations may help explaining the unique cytoadhesive properties of B. bovis‐infected red blood cells, and mechanisms involved in cell invasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]